Internships in the Time of COVID-19

Internships are available to students throughout college. As students, we are told about the importance of landing an internship, but often not provided the resources or guidance to find an internship. I learned about the Julian Grace Foundation (JGF) summer internship through a classmate. When I first read the background of the foundation, a part of their vision statement read that JGF, “envisions a just world, in which there is renewed hope, socio-economic mobility, and unity and healing within and between individuals, communities and the environment”, which resonated with me and furthered my interest to apply.

Finding an internship in times of COVID-19 has created barriers because many employers canceled hosting an intern. It is also hard to find internships overall. Students typically find internships through networking, newsletters, LinkedIn and through college career fairs. It’s okay not to be an expert on navigating and finding an internship. Remember there will be wins but also loses. What’s important is the effort in searching and engaging with the employers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, they will be appreciated. Due to COVID-19, students are no longer physically able to attend career fairs to network and meet employers. Therefore, other actions must be taken and include, contacting hiring managers through email and researching for opportunities online. Employers need to change as well.It is important for hiring managers to reach out to universities, local high schools and partner organizations to share their intern position. It is also important, now more than ever, for hiring managers to make themselves available for interested students to ask questions and continue to learn.

Prior to COVID-19, I submitted my application to JGF, not knowing what was to follow. I first met the team through Zoom thinking that the virtual work was temporary, but that was not the reality. This internship continued remotely, however; we know that wasn’t the case for many students.  According to Ryan Golden, reporter from HR Dive found from a survey about 35% of students lost their internships due to COVID-19 in 2020 and about 24% of internships reported they would be held virtually. COVID-19 affected the ability to gain experience and connections college students look for and in many cases are required to complete in order to graduate (Yaffe-bellany, 2020).

Although JGF offered a virtual internship experience, the staff worked to ensure I still received opportunities to connect with the team, learn about philanthropy and the impact it has on organizations and communities. Internships are highly important to students because they give the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. This internship at JGF was my first internship and I am glad to have had the continuous support from the team. They made sure I was able to work from home and had all necessary tools. I was valued throughout the summer and had ongoing support from the JGF and 4S Bay team. Virtual or in-person internships allow students to practice skills along with gaining new knowledge. I have gained knowledge on philanthropy and know the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. In addition, I learned more about my personal goals and values through tasks, reflections and assessments. Internships offer real world experiences, the opportunity to make connections and network. Through the summer I had 1:1 conversation with team members but also with individuals from other organizations. These conversations have helped me to network and create connections that will remain even after the internship.

Internships are a rewarding experience for both interns and the organizations.  COVID-19 has created barriers, but internships are still capable of providing opportunities for student growth and development. Although many internships are being held virtually, organizations can continue to host meaningful conversations and goal setting opportunities. Interns and managers can continue to have conversations through Zoom, both formal and informal. Not only are they being able to learn more about each other, they can also determine what they hope to gain from the internship experience. Managers should create a welcoming environment, maintain communication and provide feedback for growth. Staff should be open to interns and have consistent communication.

At the Julian Grace Foundation, I have been mentored and guided by my supervisor and staff. The team is always open to listen to my goals and answer any questions or concerns that arise. In terms of projects and tasks, providing a moment of reflection allows the intern and the manager to communicate feedback. Interns will have a new lens on certain ideas and topics which can create beneficial feedback and reflection for employers. Often, I would be asked about my thoughts and ideas towards a certain topic even though I was new to the world of philanthropy. Offering an internship will highly impact an interns current and future career trajectory, but also the organization because they can offer an insight on new perspectives.

Today, we are living in a world of uncertainty. We don’t know what will come next or when we’ll be able to have face-to-face conversations with colleagues. However, COVID-19 shouldn’t be a barrier to continue to have meaningful conversations with colleagues or host interns. Virtual internships are possible and will greatly impact students and individuals. Hosting an intern will create a great impact that will continue even after the experience is over.

Resources:

Golden, R. (2020, June 30). 3 tips for a successful virtual internship program. Retrieved from https://www.hrdive.com/news/3-tips-for-a-successful-virtual-internship-program/580803/

Yaffe-bellany, D. (2020, May 22). Another Casualty of the Coronavirus: Summer Internships. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/business/coronavirus-summer-internships.html